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Looking for the best YA romance books? These are the 23 best romance books for young adults to read.
There are tons of options when it comes to YA romance books, but knowing which love stories will make your heart full and which ones won't can be difficult. We've compiled the best selling and top rated YA romance books based on Goodreads reviews/awards, Kindle reviews, and best selling lists.
These books will have you swooning over the relationships and characters. From enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, strangers to lovers, there is every kind of love story you could imagine.
If you haven't read them yet, there are some obvious staples to this category. But we wanted to focus more on the books you probably haven't heard of but need to. So, before we get into it, here are the most popular YA romance books:
If you're looking for books other than romance check out this list of Books to Read in 2023 or The Most Popular Books to Read Right Now.
Now onto our list of romance books!
The Best Young Adult Romance Books:
1. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
This novel by Jamie McGuire is an angsty contemporary YA romance book. Abby Abernathy is a college freshman and self-proclaimed good girl. She doesn't drink, she doesn't dress provocatively, and she doesn't date. Travis Maddox, the tattooed, reckless, bad boy shakes up her world in every way possible. A simple bet between the two forces them to be together daily and the chemistry is tangible.
If you're looking for a YA college romance book with plenty of sexual tension, this is a must-read.
2. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
From the author of The Sun Is Also a Star, this novel follows immunodeficient teen Maddy Whittier and her quest for love. Maddy has not left the house for 15 years because of the risk the outside world has on her health. Her only interactions are with her friends and her nurse. But when a boy her age moves in next door, she finds herself wanting more for the first time.
3. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Set in 1986, in this novel Eleanor is the new girl in school. She has a hard time fitting in, and her bizarre fashion sense hasn't made it any easier. When she sits next to fellow outcast, Park, on the bus their friendship begins to bloom. They connect on topics like Star Wars and Shakespeare, reading comics together, and exchanging mix tapes.
This is a great story for the younger readers of the young adult genre. It is clean and cute, and their relationship is one of first loves. Where every feeling is new and important and they aren't sure what their future together will hold or if there will even be one.
4. Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This is a YA high school romance book that takes place over the course of just 24 hours. Today, she hates him. Tonight, she puts up with him. Tomorrow...maybe she's already fallen for him. Rowan and Neil have been high school nemeses for the last 4 years, always competing to be the best. When Neil is selected as class valedictorian, Rowan only has one final chance to beat him. In a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle, Neil and Rowan decide to team up to win. And maybe, there is something about him that she's overlooked for so long..
Nominated for Best YA Romance Books 2020.
5. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Remy did not grow up with great role models for love. Her dad, a musician, left before she was born. And her mother is working on husband number five. So all she knows is how to have short, surface-level relationships. She dates frequently, but right when it starts to get serious she calls it off. But this time, with Dexter, she can't figure out why she doesn't want to break up with him.
This story is all about how we manage our feelings after growing up in an environment that didn't nurture them. And the person that comes along that makes us want to change.
6. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
If your looking for a YA bad boy romance book, this is it. Alex Fuentes is a gang member from the other side of town. And Brittany Ellis is the girl that has crafted a flawless reputation. When they are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, Alex makes a bet with his friends to get close to her. But as he learns that there is more to Brittany than meets the eye, their feelings for each other change.
Elkeles did a fantastic job of creating dynamic, well-developed characters in a captivating story that unravels the feelings of first love.
7. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
In this novel, two teens with cystic fibrosis are hospitalized during treatment. Stella has a need to feel in control when her health is very much out of control. That means a strict treatment regimen and NEVER breaking the 6 foot rule between other patients. Will is the complete opposite, his only goal is to get out of the hospital and start living his life. But this isn't just an opposites attract love story, if Stella and Will so much as breathe on each other there is a chance they could both die.
For those of you looking for sad YA romance books, this story will crush your heart.
If this isn't your type of read, I still highly recommend watching the movie. I bawled like a baby. And also Cole Sprouse can do no wrong in my eyes.
8. Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills
A contemporary young adult romance novel about a girl whose high school production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream leads her to new friends, and possibly even a new love.
This novel depicts friendships and relationships at their most wholesome. There are girls supporting girls, strong sibling friendships, platonic displays of affection between boys, and so much more. Reading this will heal your soul with all the warm-fuzzy feels.
9. Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
This novel has much more depth than your standard high school romance books. Zayneb is the only Muslim in her class, led by a teacher that thinks it's appropriate to constantly discuss how "bad" Muslims are. When she stands up for herself she is suspended and decides to start her spring break early by visiting her aunt in Qatar.
In comes Adam, a boy with so many reasons to grieve, yet so much love in his heart. A truly beautiful love story of two people finding their place with each other.
10. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The only thing the Garretts and the Reeds have in common is that they are neighbors. Samantha Reed's family is prim and proper, while the Garretts are a rowdy family with 8 children. For 10 years Samantha and Jase have lived next door but never spoken. But one night when Jase climbs her terrace, Samantha's life is turned upside down. She will fall in love and find the courage to stand up for herself. And also learn the importance of friendship, family, love, and making the right choices.
The perfect YA summer romance book to swoon over.
11. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
This novel rotates between the perspective of twins: Noah when he is 13 and Jude when she is 16 (present day). Noah is creative and talented, and Jude is an extroverted daredevil. In their younger years they were inseparable, but as they enter their teen years they barely speak. They struggle with trying to find their own separate identities and navigate their love lives and their dreams for the future.
All of the characters are imperfect and make mistakes, but there is something about them that just makes you forgive them.
Winner of the 2015 Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
12. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen has no shortage of YA romance books. If you enjoy her writing style and plots there are so, so many to read. Along for the Ride is one of her most popular books with 4.04/5 stars and 201k reviews on Goodreads.
In this novel, Auden gets to spend the summer in a cozy beach town with her dad and his new family. Auden gets a job at a clothing boutique in town, and she is introduced to the world of girls that she hasn't been a part of. Her parents arguing and divorce has been the cause of many sleepless nights. When she meets a fellow insomniac, Eli, he becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town.
A very sweet, YA summer romance book.
13. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Finally to the world of YA fantasy romance books! The series has won Goodreads awards for Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction and Best Fantasy in 2016, 2017, and 2021.
When 19 year old, Feyre, kills a wolf in the woods a terrifying creature appears to demand retribution. She is dragged to a treacherous magical land and held captive. But as she adapts to her new home, her feelings of hatred towards her captor soften into something else.
14. Captured by Erica Stevens
Captured is a mature YA vampire romance book. Aria is captured, taken from her beloved family and woods. But, her biggest fear is that she will be selected as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race.
Aria must hide her identity as a member of the rebellion when she is claimed by Braith, a prince of the royal family responsible for turning the race into nothing more than servants and slaves. Aria should hate the prince, but something about his kindness and gentleness confuses her. Torn between her loyalty to the rebellion and her growing feelings for her enemy...
15. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
This debut novel by Joya Goffney tells the story of an overly enthusiastic list maker, who is blackmailed into completing a to-do list of seven of her greatest fears. It is a heartfelt, contemporary YA high school romance book.
Quinn makes lists to keep her sane. Lists of all the time she's ugly cried, the boys she likes, her greatest fears. Needless to say, these lists are something Quinn would rather keep private. But someone steals her journal and posts one of her lists on Instagram. To keep from having the rest of the journal revealed, Quinn must face her fears.
16. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I bet you didn't know there was such a thing as alien romance books. But, you're in for a treat. This steamy YA romance book features Daemon, a super hot, tall, alien next door neighbor.
Katy and her mom move to West Virginia at the start of her senior year of high school. Katy has pretty much resolved that her time there is going to be incredibly boring. Until she catches a glimpse of her neighbor Daemon. But, despite his good looks, Katy finds Daemon incredibly arrogant and infuriating. Until the night he saves her from an attack, and she realizes there is more to him.
17. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
I just love a summer romance with a lake setting. But this isn't just any summer romance, it is a heart wrenching story that will leave you ugly crying.
Taylor is known for running away when things get hard. On a family trip to the summerhouse they haven't visited in 5 years, she is faced with people she thought she left in the past and no where to run. Until she realizes that this may be her second chance - with her family, with her friends, and with her crush.
18. Just Drop Out - Hannaford Prep Series by J. Bree
The Hannaford Prep series is definitely not for everyone. It is a bully/dark YA romance with a reverse harem plot, but they're all 15 years old. That being said, it is an incredibly popular romance series.
"Lips" is a new student on a full ride scholarship at Hannaford Prep. All she wants is to get her life together, but she always seems to attract the wrong attention. While the freshman class continues to bully her, the entire junior class has started a game with her as the prize. Now every boy at Hannaford is after her, except for the three boys she wants.
19. The Deal by Elle Kennedy
This YA sports romance book is steamy. Recommended for readers 16+ based on sexual and mature content.
Hannah Wells is a college student who finally found a guy that makes her feel all tingly, except he doesn't even notice her. Thus walks in Garrett, a hockey jock that needs to get his grades up. They make a deal in which Hannah tutors Garrett in exchange for Garrett helping her get her crush to notice her. But despite seeming like total opposites, they have more in common than they thought and some insane chemistry.
20. Kulti by Mariana Zapata
This is another sports romance novel, that is a little more new adult than young adult. But if you're looking for something with a little more maturity, this is a great story to jump into.
Sal Casillas is a 27-year old soccer player. Her new coach is her old celebrity crush/international soccer icon, Kulti. But, the man she used to worship is not what she had expected.
This novel is the perfect slow burn romance with so much relationship development. From strangers, to enemies, to acquaintances, to friends, to lovers. All the makings of great YA romance books.
21. The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Selection is a wildly popular YA fantasy romance book, with over 1.3 million ratings and an average 4.09/5 stars. If you love this book there is an entire series to dive in to.
For 35 girls, the Selection is a chance of a lifetime. An opportunity to live in a palace and fight for the heart of the prince. For America, being selected is her nightmare. She has fallen in love with someone beneath her class and does not want this potential life with the prince.
22. Easy by Tammara Webber
If you've already read and enjoyed Beautiful Disaster, then Easy should be your next read.
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle.
23. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath and her twin sister Wren obsessed over Simon Snow as kids. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing fanfiction, and dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. But as they've gotten older, Wren has pretty much left her love from Simon Snow behind, while Cath can't. When they go to college, Wren decides she doesn't want to be roommates with Cath. So now she is on her own and has to figure out how to navigate life.
This post was all about the best YA romance books to read.
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